المسجدعلي مرتضى

Statement Concering our Methology concering Beginning of Months, as muslims we have a clear methodology for determining the beginning of the lunar month. We start all months upon the initial physical sighting of the waxing crescent moon on the western horizon of the evening sky. The method for beginning the month of Ramadan is no exception as the Messenger of God , has said: “Begin your fast upon sighting [the crescent moon] and end your fast upon sighting [the subsequent crescent].” The four schools of Sunni Islam hold that this is an unambiguous, clear textual proof that is not open to subsequent interpretation. Here at the Masjid Ali Murtada(R.A), we have consistently adhered to this methodology. With the assistance of an experienced international team of crescent observers, we endeavor to share with the Muslim community information concerning the beginning of the lunar months, with special attention paid to the months of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhul Hijja. God willing, we will continue to provide this service to our community.

RAMADAN, as for starting Ramadan based upon mathematical calculation, we have found no convincing argument that this was ever a practice of the Muslim community, and truly believe, based upon the position of our great jurists and masters of ijtihad, that the text supporting physical sighting is unequivocal and thus not open to any new ijtihad. Furthermore, we understand the issue not to be one of sound difference of opinion but rather innovation and should be avoided. The Prophet,said, “Beware of introduced affairs [in our religion], for every introduced affair is an innovation and ever innovation is a type of going astray.” And God alone knows best. Having said that, we never desire to see any divisiveness in our community and request that Muslims avoid disputes and bitter arguments concerning this point. Those who have put forward calculation as a method are doing so with their understanding that it is a way of facilitation for the Muslims in the West. They are scholars in their respective areas of expertise. And while we differ with their attempts at a new ijtihad, we believe their intentions are sound and that their honor (‘ird) should be respected. Rather, we encourage our brothers and sisters to consider the various arguments and then make a mature decision bearing in mind the prescient advice of our noble Prophet : “Leave that which causes you doubt for that which eradicates doubt.” May Allah bless everyone with a productive and beneficial month of fasting. …and the last of our prayers is all praise is for God, the Lord of the Worlds.

Refelction on the Heavens and Earth, by HAMZA YUSUF According to Imam al-Kattani, in his original work of scholarship Taratib al-idariyyah, the Prophet appointed a timekeeper in Medina to maintain sacred time for the community. Scholars understood from this that sacred timekeeping was an obligation binding upon some among the community (fard kifayah) in order to maintain correct prayer times as well as to determine days and months according the lunar calendar. Both fasting in Ramadan and performing hajj are individual obligations that the community of Muslims is required to maintain until the end of time, and both are solely determined by the lunar calendar.

Astrolabe Developed by early Muslim scientists

Historically, the muezzin was the appointed timekeeper of the city and often had completed advanced studies in astronomy, mathematics, and the use of instruments (particularly the sundial) needed to measure shadows. With the introduction of modern technical means of keeping time and the advancement of astronomical knowledge, the timekeeper's job fell into disarray, and the position died out in many Muslim countries. Only Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and a handful of other places have kept alive the sacred science of horology (ilm at-tawqit) alive.

Scholars of Islamic horology learn to determine the lunar calendar, the prayer times, and the direction of Mecca from any place in the world based upon simple, time-tested methods that the companions of the Prophet understood and practiced. All three topics are covered in the voluminous literature of horology that exists largely in manuscripts throughout the Muslim libraries. This portion of the Zaytuna website is dedicated to reviving the beautiful science of Islam named ilm at-tawqit. Every community should have a group of people that commits to sighting the new moon each month. High-quality astronomy magazines and websites indicate the most probable day for its sighting. However, astronomical new moons and juristic new moons are not the same: the birth of a new moon astronomically is not its birth according to the jurists of Islam. This fact creates much confusion every year and could be easily resolved if Muslims return to the sunna of the Prophet , as he said in a sound hadith related by Imam al-Hakim, "The best of Allah's servants are those who observe the new moons and shadows as a way of remembering Allah." Although the hadith generally refers to the muezzin who traditionally fulfilled that function, it does not exclude others who partake in the practice of tawqit.

Audio: Moon Sighting, by Hamza Yusuf MP3: Listen